Big music label Universal Music Group is backing SpiralFrog, a new ad-supported music download service being run by former Universal McCann CEO Robin Kent. Universal said it would make its catalog available for free to consumers in the U.S. and Canada via SpiralFrog's system, which allows users to access licensed music without any risk of exposure to adware, spyware or other programming that has been a turnoff in previous peer-to-peer music services. ...Read the whole story

While the expansion focus of most big media shops is in emerging markets, Aegis Group Tuesday announced a deal that will expand Carat dramatically in North America, albeit in that continent's fastest growing market. Aegis said it has acquired Control Media, the leading independent media planning and buying agency in Mexico, and would combine it with Carat Mexicana. The consolidated shop, to be known as Carat Control, will control $175 million in combined billings, making Carat one of the top media agencies South of the Border. ...Read the whole story

After a summer of banal performances from a slew of "American Idol" wannabes, it's no surprise that viewers are fed up. A new Circuit City survey shows that half of all Americans want relief. A second result: 34 percent of people who intend to buy a new TV in the next year will purchase either an HD or flat-panel set. ...Read the whole story

Media planners wondering where readers get magazines have a new measurement tool. Affinity, a magazine-measurement firm, just launched CopySource, a new online panel survey service that complements its existing reports. Arriving amid dueling claims from print-measurement services, CopySource is distinguished by its thoroughness and high degree of transparency, according to Tom Robinson, Affinity's managing director. ...Read the whole story

Azteca America joins Univision and Telemundo as a Spanish-language broadcaster included in Nielsen's general-market ratings this season. The move allows media buyers to gauge the performance of all three on a category basis versus the major general-market networks. Azteca is available in 52 markets nationwide. ...Read the whole story

ESPN has reached a three-year extension of its deal with Home Depot for the retailer to continue sponsoring its "ESPN College GameDay" preview show. The network also launched a Web site for its ESPNU outlet and will capitalize on the fantasy-football boom with a show on ESPN2 this fall dedicated to the phenomenon. ...Read the whole story

NBC will try and punk real brides and grooms. The network plans to launch a reality show based on the 2005 hit film "Wedding Crashers." It will send actors into real-life nuptials and follow their antics with hidden cameras. Ashton Kutcher, star of MTV's "Punk'd," is an executive producer. ...Read the whole story

Hoping to score increased distribution from the recent popularity of the World Cup, cable network GolTV has extended its exclusive deal to carry Spanish League soccer games in the U.S. The multi-year deal gives the channel rights to a steady diet of games featuring the popular David Beckham, who plays for Real Madrid. GolTV, carried in 10 million U.S. homes, is also nearing a deal with the German League. ...Read the whole story

In the explosive trajectory of MySpace, both in traffic and cultural buzz, the anything-goes site faces a branding conundrum. Much of the appeal for its 100 million users is an opportunity to tour what is arguably ...More